Turkey fall 2–0 to Australia in World Cup opener

Australia punish wasteful Turkey in Group D opener

Turkey lost 2–0 to Australia in their first World Cup match in Vancouver. Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda scored the goals for the Socceroos, while goalkeeper Patrick Beach made several standout saves to deny your team. (2) (3) (4) (5)

Arda Guler and the attack created plenty, but the finishing wasn't there. Coach Vincenzo Montella put it bluntly: "We created so many chances, but we couldn't score. That's football." (2)

Australia's coach Tony Popovic called his young side "special" after the win. (3) Former Turkish referee Fırat Aydınus wrote in his column that while the result stings, there's still hope: two group games remain and the fight isn't over. (2)

Metcalfe: 'You couldn't ask for a better start'

The Australian goalscorer was still buzzing after the match. "It's crazy to score, to get the win," Metcalfe said. "You couldn't ask for a better start, could you?" (1)

His goal and Irankunda's strike put Turkey in a tough spot with matches left to turn the group around.

Fan reactions

Turkish fans online are fired up about captain Hakan Calhanoglu's tense post-match exchange with an Australian reporter, where he stood by a pre-game comment that clearly hit a nerve. The mood is split between frustration over the missed chances and defiance about the two games ahead. Read the full exchange here.